Chapter Five
**denote thought
~~dreaming
// telepathy
OKAY THIS IS JUST IN CASE SOME OF YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW MY NUMBER ONE MUSE IS "MARCUS" HE IS ALSO A FELLOW WRITER AND THE BIGGEST HELP WITH MY PLOT LINES. HE IS CURRENTLY WRITING SOME GREAT INTERLUDE FICS TO MY LITTLE STORIES. READ THEM OR PAY THE PRICE. THEY'RE GREAT AND I'M NOT JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE HE'S MY FRIEND. HIS STORIES ARE ENTITLED "METHOS" AND "DAWN OF THE MIND". THEY ARE HERE ON FANFICTION.NET!!!!! SO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON WITH SOME OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS PLEASE READ. HE'S THE COOLEST. OH YEAH VISIT MY SITE AND SIGN MY GUEST BOOK.
NOW ON WITH THE FIC!!!!
Buffy couldn't hear anything after Giles told her of her mother's death over the own thumping of her heart. It was like her heart was trying to leap out of her body and onto the the floor. *Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!!!* Buffy thought as she dropped to the floor on knees. All Giles could do was sit beside her on the floor and hold her as her body shook. "I shouldn't have of come here Giles, I should've been at home, I could've helped, could've done something." Buffy said out loud as the X-Men watched her grief. Catherine's heart went out to her friend. She could only imagine how'd she feel if her mother died. Yes, Amanda was immortal, but even immortals can't stop death when it comes for them. Willow as always went to her best friend, Xander for comfort. Joyce was one of the kindest people she knew and she treated her like her own daughter, she felt her own heart break with Buffy's.
"How Xander?" Willow asked in a hushed voice. Giles answered. "A blood clot. There was nothing anyone could have done." You could hear the tears being choked back into his throat. Suddenly Buffy stood up.
"I have to go outside, get some air." Buffy said then looked over at Dawn. Something inside of her wanted to comfort her, but she couldn't comfort anyone until she found some for herself. She quickly turned and half walked, half ran out the bay doors of the rec room and into the dark. Giles started to go after her but was stopped by a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see a young woman with long black hair and dark eyes that seemed to say she'd seen too much and nothing at all about life. She was the young woman in his vision. Having a somewhat checkered past himself he sensed not only her youth but her very supernatural strength. "Alright but you and I will have to talk later." Giles said. "Of course, my name is Catherine Macleod by the way." She said flashing a quick smile.
Among all the confusion Jean and Scott notice Dawn standing quietly in a corner. "Hello, you must be Dawn, we've heard a lot about you. I'm Jean Summers and this is your cousin Scott Summers." Jean said softly as she tried to get Dawn's attention. "She's been like that since she found Joyce. I'm the only person besides Giles so far that she even acknowledges." Xander said with a hint of sympathy and grief lacing his voice. "Perhaps when things are settled around here I can help." Jean said as she embraced Dawn and lead her to the nearest couch. Xander watched the red-head and wondered if she really knew Dawn's whole story.
Scott sat on the other side of his cousin and put his arm around her. He couldn't help but let his heart go out to the girl, he knew all too well what it was like to lose a parent. He lost two and only recently gained his father back.
Outside by the pool Buffy sat dangling her feet absently in the water. It was dark, the only light belonged to the moon. It reflected off the water giving off an erie glow. If she had been in any other mood this would have been a very romantic setting, but the only thing that was running through her mind was that maybe if she where there she could have helped her mother. Tears silently streaked her cheaks. In the background Logan silently watched Buffy from the shadows before deciding to sit down beside her. As he watched he could have mentally slapped himself. **I have to admit, even with tears in her eyes, she beautiful in this light. Oh man what am I saying she's a kid compared to me and besides she's hurting right now. The only thing she needs are friends.**
As her tears streamed down her face Buffy sensed that someone was watching her. Without turning around she spoke. "I know you're there and I'd rather be alone right now if you don't mind." She said in between sniffles. Logan ignored he and sat down beside her. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that kid and someday you might believe yourself." Logan said he stared at the light reflecting on the water. "I know what you're trying to do and I don't want to talk." Buffy growled. "You don't have to talk, just listen. You're not the only one whose lost loved ones around here kid. Your cousin Scott, Jean, Orroro, all of us. When you need to talk we all understand." Logan said in a low tone, as if he where remembering someone in particular. A few minutes passed and then Buffy began to speak, hating the silence.
"Who did you loose?" Buffy asked. Logan grimmaced a bit at the question. Buffy could tell even in the darkness that she managed to hit a tender spot. "I've lost a lot of people in more ways than one. A woman I loved dearly was killed right in front me and another married another man. You tell me which one hurts more." Buffy was sorry that she asked, but she knew how he felt. "I can see where you're coming from." Buffy said in a sardonic tone. She then proceeded to tell Logan about everything she went through with Angel and Riley. Truthfully Logan thought most of her story was totally unbelievable, but after meeting Catherine and her family he was willing to believe anything. "I think we should go in now before everyone starts to worry." Buffy said, knocking Logan out of his train of thought. "Whenever you're ready kid." Logan said. "Thanks Logan. I really did need to talk." Buffy said and quickly hugged him. To his own surprise he hugged her back. They both noticed that the hugg lasted for longer than it should have and didn't seem to mind. Buffy nuzzled her face into his chest as Logan let his chin rest on top of her head. At the same time their heads moved to try and look at the other. Neither could see the other's face clearly, but they could see each other's silohettes as the moonlight hit them from different angles and they started to slowly move together as if they were magnets.
"Ahmmm, Ahemm." Coughed Jubilee. She hadn't meant to barge out there but the others were looking for them. "Buffy, Logan the Professor X wants to talk to everyone in his office." Jubilee said sheepishly. (A.N. Animefreek ducks as readers throw shoes and pots at her. He He could this be the start of something?) Buffy and Logan quickly broke their embrace and stood up. "I guess we'd better go." Buffy said as she shot Logan a small smile that didn't really reach her eyes. "Yeah, lets go." Logan said smiling slightly. **I bet he/she looks great when he/she really smiles.** They both thought at the same time.
Meanwhile Giles introduced himself to the X-Men and Catherine.
Catherine's eyes darted over to Dawn once more. **I know how you feel little one. My heart goes out to you. She's so powerful yet right now she's so powerless.** "Catherine there are other things we have to discuss as well." Giles said knocking Catherine out of her thoughts. "Yes the dreams, Buffy and I were going to call you, but since you're here I think you should meet a friend of mine. Do you have anywhere to stay?" Catherine said. "Not really we weren't planning on staying long." Giles said. "I'm afraid that you might have to stay awhile, these dreams are getting more intense and more frequent, plus I believe you know of a Vampire named Drusilla. We had a run in with her tonight. I'm sure that the professor wouldn't mind you staying here with the rest of us." Catherine said. "Afterall we consider Buffy and Willow family here and that makes you family too."
Professor Xavier watched as his students took control of the traumatic situation at hand. Jean trying to comfort the young girl named Dawn and he could sense Logan talking to Buffy. Young Willow was on the phone talking to her girlfriend Tara in hushed tones. He could sense that she was apprehensive about the others finding out that she was gay, but in a place like the institute she wouldn't find any prejudices like that here. After all in the time and age they were living in being a mutant is the biggest taboo. And if his suspicions were right this horrible news about Buffy and Dawn's mother was only the tip of the iceberg.
"Ahem, the professor cleared his throat, I think that we should all ajurn to my office there are some things that need to be clarified for our new guests and the given situation that has brought them here." The professor said. "Jubilee could you gather Logan and Buffy they're by the pool." "Sure thing prof., no problem." Jubilee said trying to sound up beat even with the given events. **Man things are going from bad to worse. First that bar fight at Joe's and now Buffy's mom.** Jubilee thought as she stepped out onto the pool patio. What she found there even surprised her. Out on the patio was Logan and Buffy in a very romantic embrace. There and then she decided this was something that she would never mention to Scott. She remembered when Catherine and Bobby first got together, he had a fit, and Catherine isn't even related to him. "Ahem, Ahem. Buffy, Logan the professor wants to talk to everyone in his office." Jubilee said.
In Xavier's office everyone was getting aquainted with each other.Including a newly arrived Duncan Macleod. Again everyone was surprised when the new arrives didn't seem overly surprised at Hank's appearence. Hank was secretly happy, he never enjoyed people staring at him or asking why he was blue and furry. "I'll make this short, as Catherine said you are welcome to stay here in the mansion for as long as you need and perhaps it would be better for Buffy and young Dawn not to travel right now." Xavier said. "As for the institute there are some things you need to know." Xavier then started to explain the true purpose of the institute and its students.
Giles was certainly at a loss for words. Being an ex-Watcher he'd heard rumors about these kinds of covert groups, but he never expected to actually find himself in the middle of one. On the other hand he was equally astounded to actually meet an immortal and was equally preparing himself to be bombarded with questions from Buffy once she got some rest. Jean directed everyone to their rooms and took special care to see that Dawn was comfortable.
***********The Next Morning*********
The next morning Catherine went through her usual routine, but was surprised that Conner hadn't shown up for his session in the danger room or that he hadn't even slept in his bed. As she walked down the corridor of the wing she decided to make another round to Conner's room, there she found her Dad sitting on Conner's bed looking at a rather old picture. Catherine asked him who it was and got one of the bigger surprises of her life. Conner had an adopted daughter named Rachel. Duncan then told Catherine the whole story. Catherine in that very moment felt all the pain that Conner must have felt and all the guilt from their argument the previous day. **Oh God I wish, I could take it all back.** Catherine thought.
About an hour later Catherine and Duncan found themselves at Joe's bar. "Hiya Joe how things going?" Catherine asked. "Fine that there are no more fights breaking out. You could at least warn a guy before chairs start flying." Joe said sarcastically. "Sorry Joe." Catherine said with a not so sincere pout. "Thats okay, Daddy's flipping the bill for this one." Joe said with a smile. "Hey!" Duncan yelled as he surveyed the damage, not too happy right then and there.
"Okay enough of the nice, nice. You Macleods don't come down for quiet chit chats to often, what can I do for ya?" Joe said. "Its about Conner he's disappeared we were wondering if you heard anything." Duncan said. "It does have to do with Rachel's death, he's looking for someone, another immortal by the name of Jacob Kell, we think." Joe said. After that Duncan and Joe exchanged a few jibes at each other and Catherine picked up a stray remark in the back of Joe's head about her dad being a smartass. *Ah the wonders of being a telepath, you always know whats on people's minds.* Catherine thought.
The next few days were a blurr that Catherine looked back on in a haze of wonder and excitement. The fight in the loft with a gang of immortals, finding out about Faith and Jacob Kell, Duncan and Conner's fight, the night of her rebirth as an immortal, and her own encouter with Jacob Kell himself. All those emotions all in the matter of days and know she was an immortal. All those things happened and her mother wasn't even the wiser. The X-Men and immortals agreed that Catherine should tell her mother. With that done all that was needed was to find Methos.
Luck was definately on her side. Nathan Summers decided to make his own appearence at the X-mansion.
Okay peeps as always read and review. the next part is the last chapter and epilogue. The Scooby gang makes some decisions and new friends. I let a lot of details out and if you want to know the whole story behind Catherine's immortality read my friend Marcus' story ENDGAME. For all you guys that love Methos Cathy will confront him soooooon! Plus read Marcus' new story TIDES OF ADJUSTMENT to find out what happens to the scooby gang when they go home.
Peace, love , and read and review.
**denote thought
~~dreaming
// telepathy
OKAY THIS IS JUST IN CASE SOME OF YOU GUYS DON'T KNOW MY NUMBER ONE MUSE IS "MARCUS" HE IS ALSO A FELLOW WRITER AND THE BIGGEST HELP WITH MY PLOT LINES. HE IS CURRENTLY WRITING SOME GREAT INTERLUDE FICS TO MY LITTLE STORIES. READ THEM OR PAY THE PRICE. THEY'RE GREAT AND I'M NOT JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE HE'S MY FRIEND. HIS STORIES ARE ENTITLED "METHOS" AND "DAWN OF THE MIND". THEY ARE HERE ON FANFICTION.NET!!!!! SO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON WITH SOME OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS PLEASE READ. HE'S THE COOLEST. OH YEAH VISIT MY SITE AND SIGN MY GUEST BOOK.
NOW ON WITH THE FIC!!!!
Buffy couldn't hear anything after Giles told her of her mother's death over the own thumping of her heart. It was like her heart was trying to leap out of her body and onto the the floor. *Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!!!* Buffy thought as she dropped to the floor on knees. All Giles could do was sit beside her on the floor and hold her as her body shook. "I shouldn't have of come here Giles, I should've been at home, I could've helped, could've done something." Buffy said out loud as the X-Men watched her grief. Catherine's heart went out to her friend. She could only imagine how'd she feel if her mother died. Yes, Amanda was immortal, but even immortals can't stop death when it comes for them. Willow as always went to her best friend, Xander for comfort. Joyce was one of the kindest people she knew and she treated her like her own daughter, she felt her own heart break with Buffy's.
"How Xander?" Willow asked in a hushed voice. Giles answered. "A blood clot. There was nothing anyone could have done." You could hear the tears being choked back into his throat. Suddenly Buffy stood up.
"I have to go outside, get some air." Buffy said then looked over at Dawn. Something inside of her wanted to comfort her, but she couldn't comfort anyone until she found some for herself. She quickly turned and half walked, half ran out the bay doors of the rec room and into the dark. Giles started to go after her but was stopped by a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see a young woman with long black hair and dark eyes that seemed to say she'd seen too much and nothing at all about life. She was the young woman in his vision. Having a somewhat checkered past himself he sensed not only her youth but her very supernatural strength. "Alright but you and I will have to talk later." Giles said. "Of course, my name is Catherine Macleod by the way." She said flashing a quick smile.
Among all the confusion Jean and Scott notice Dawn standing quietly in a corner. "Hello, you must be Dawn, we've heard a lot about you. I'm Jean Summers and this is your cousin Scott Summers." Jean said softly as she tried to get Dawn's attention. "She's been like that since she found Joyce. I'm the only person besides Giles so far that she even acknowledges." Xander said with a hint of sympathy and grief lacing his voice. "Perhaps when things are settled around here I can help." Jean said as she embraced Dawn and lead her to the nearest couch. Xander watched the red-head and wondered if she really knew Dawn's whole story.
Scott sat on the other side of his cousin and put his arm around her. He couldn't help but let his heart go out to the girl, he knew all too well what it was like to lose a parent. He lost two and only recently gained his father back.
Outside by the pool Buffy sat dangling her feet absently in the water. It was dark, the only light belonged to the moon. It reflected off the water giving off an erie glow. If she had been in any other mood this would have been a very romantic setting, but the only thing that was running through her mind was that maybe if she where there she could have helped her mother. Tears silently streaked her cheaks. In the background Logan silently watched Buffy from the shadows before deciding to sit down beside her. As he watched he could have mentally slapped himself. **I have to admit, even with tears in her eyes, she beautiful in this light. Oh man what am I saying she's a kid compared to me and besides she's hurting right now. The only thing she needs are friends.**
As her tears streamed down her face Buffy sensed that someone was watching her. Without turning around she spoke. "I know you're there and I'd rather be alone right now if you don't mind." She said in between sniffles. Logan ignored he and sat down beside her. "Yeah, keep telling yourself that kid and someday you might believe yourself." Logan said he stared at the light reflecting on the water. "I know what you're trying to do and I don't want to talk." Buffy growled. "You don't have to talk, just listen. You're not the only one whose lost loved ones around here kid. Your cousin Scott, Jean, Orroro, all of us. When you need to talk we all understand." Logan said in a low tone, as if he where remembering someone in particular. A few minutes passed and then Buffy began to speak, hating the silence.
"Who did you loose?" Buffy asked. Logan grimmaced a bit at the question. Buffy could tell even in the darkness that she managed to hit a tender spot. "I've lost a lot of people in more ways than one. A woman I loved dearly was killed right in front me and another married another man. You tell me which one hurts more." Buffy was sorry that she asked, but she knew how he felt. "I can see where you're coming from." Buffy said in a sardonic tone. She then proceeded to tell Logan about everything she went through with Angel and Riley. Truthfully Logan thought most of her story was totally unbelievable, but after meeting Catherine and her family he was willing to believe anything. "I think we should go in now before everyone starts to worry." Buffy said, knocking Logan out of his train of thought. "Whenever you're ready kid." Logan said. "Thanks Logan. I really did need to talk." Buffy said and quickly hugged him. To his own surprise he hugged her back. They both noticed that the hugg lasted for longer than it should have and didn't seem to mind. Buffy nuzzled her face into his chest as Logan let his chin rest on top of her head. At the same time their heads moved to try and look at the other. Neither could see the other's face clearly, but they could see each other's silohettes as the moonlight hit them from different angles and they started to slowly move together as if they were magnets.
"Ahmmm, Ahemm." Coughed Jubilee. She hadn't meant to barge out there but the others were looking for them. "Buffy, Logan the Professor X wants to talk to everyone in his office." Jubilee said sheepishly. (A.N. Animefreek ducks as readers throw shoes and pots at her. He He could this be the start of something?) Buffy and Logan quickly broke their embrace and stood up. "I guess we'd better go." Buffy said as she shot Logan a small smile that didn't really reach her eyes. "Yeah, lets go." Logan said smiling slightly. **I bet he/she looks great when he/she really smiles.** They both thought at the same time.
Meanwhile Giles introduced himself to the X-Men and Catherine.
Catherine's eyes darted over to Dawn once more. **I know how you feel little one. My heart goes out to you. She's so powerful yet right now she's so powerless.** "Catherine there are other things we have to discuss as well." Giles said knocking Catherine out of her thoughts. "Yes the dreams, Buffy and I were going to call you, but since you're here I think you should meet a friend of mine. Do you have anywhere to stay?" Catherine said. "Not really we weren't planning on staying long." Giles said. "I'm afraid that you might have to stay awhile, these dreams are getting more intense and more frequent, plus I believe you know of a Vampire named Drusilla. We had a run in with her tonight. I'm sure that the professor wouldn't mind you staying here with the rest of us." Catherine said. "Afterall we consider Buffy and Willow family here and that makes you family too."
Professor Xavier watched as his students took control of the traumatic situation at hand. Jean trying to comfort the young girl named Dawn and he could sense Logan talking to Buffy. Young Willow was on the phone talking to her girlfriend Tara in hushed tones. He could sense that she was apprehensive about the others finding out that she was gay, but in a place like the institute she wouldn't find any prejudices like that here. After all in the time and age they were living in being a mutant is the biggest taboo. And if his suspicions were right this horrible news about Buffy and Dawn's mother was only the tip of the iceberg.
"Ahem, the professor cleared his throat, I think that we should all ajurn to my office there are some things that need to be clarified for our new guests and the given situation that has brought them here." The professor said. "Jubilee could you gather Logan and Buffy they're by the pool." "Sure thing prof., no problem." Jubilee said trying to sound up beat even with the given events. **Man things are going from bad to worse. First that bar fight at Joe's and now Buffy's mom.** Jubilee thought as she stepped out onto the pool patio. What she found there even surprised her. Out on the patio was Logan and Buffy in a very romantic embrace. There and then she decided this was something that she would never mention to Scott. She remembered when Catherine and Bobby first got together, he had a fit, and Catherine isn't even related to him. "Ahem, Ahem. Buffy, Logan the professor wants to talk to everyone in his office." Jubilee said.
In Xavier's office everyone was getting aquainted with each other.Including a newly arrived Duncan Macleod. Again everyone was surprised when the new arrives didn't seem overly surprised at Hank's appearence. Hank was secretly happy, he never enjoyed people staring at him or asking why he was blue and furry. "I'll make this short, as Catherine said you are welcome to stay here in the mansion for as long as you need and perhaps it would be better for Buffy and young Dawn not to travel right now." Xavier said. "As for the institute there are some things you need to know." Xavier then started to explain the true purpose of the institute and its students.
Giles was certainly at a loss for words. Being an ex-Watcher he'd heard rumors about these kinds of covert groups, but he never expected to actually find himself in the middle of one. On the other hand he was equally astounded to actually meet an immortal and was equally preparing himself to be bombarded with questions from Buffy once she got some rest. Jean directed everyone to their rooms and took special care to see that Dawn was comfortable.
***********The Next Morning*********
The next morning Catherine went through her usual routine, but was surprised that Conner hadn't shown up for his session in the danger room or that he hadn't even slept in his bed. As she walked down the corridor of the wing she decided to make another round to Conner's room, there she found her Dad sitting on Conner's bed looking at a rather old picture. Catherine asked him who it was and got one of the bigger surprises of her life. Conner had an adopted daughter named Rachel. Duncan then told Catherine the whole story. Catherine in that very moment felt all the pain that Conner must have felt and all the guilt from their argument the previous day. **Oh God I wish, I could take it all back.** Catherine thought.
About an hour later Catherine and Duncan found themselves at Joe's bar. "Hiya Joe how things going?" Catherine asked. "Fine that there are no more fights breaking out. You could at least warn a guy before chairs start flying." Joe said sarcastically. "Sorry Joe." Catherine said with a not so sincere pout. "Thats okay, Daddy's flipping the bill for this one." Joe said with a smile. "Hey!" Duncan yelled as he surveyed the damage, not too happy right then and there.
"Okay enough of the nice, nice. You Macleods don't come down for quiet chit chats to often, what can I do for ya?" Joe said. "Its about Conner he's disappeared we were wondering if you heard anything." Duncan said. "It does have to do with Rachel's death, he's looking for someone, another immortal by the name of Jacob Kell, we think." Joe said. After that Duncan and Joe exchanged a few jibes at each other and Catherine picked up a stray remark in the back of Joe's head about her dad being a smartass. *Ah the wonders of being a telepath, you always know whats on people's minds.* Catherine thought.
The next few days were a blurr that Catherine looked back on in a haze of wonder and excitement. The fight in the loft with a gang of immortals, finding out about Faith and Jacob Kell, Duncan and Conner's fight, the night of her rebirth as an immortal, and her own encouter with Jacob Kell himself. All those emotions all in the matter of days and know she was an immortal. All those things happened and her mother wasn't even the wiser. The X-Men and immortals agreed that Catherine should tell her mother. With that done all that was needed was to find Methos.
Luck was definately on her side. Nathan Summers decided to make his own appearence at the X-mansion.
Okay peeps as always read and review. the next part is the last chapter and epilogue. The Scooby gang makes some decisions and new friends. I let a lot of details out and if you want to know the whole story behind Catherine's immortality read my friend Marcus' story ENDGAME. For all you guys that love Methos Cathy will confront him soooooon! Plus read Marcus' new story TIDES OF ADJUSTMENT to find out what happens to the scooby gang when they go home.
Peace, love , and read and review.